Method Man Criticizes Unauthorized YouTube Remixes: “I Don’t Respect It”

Legendary rapper Method Man has expressed his frustration with unauthorized remixes circulating on YouTube, calling out creators who alter original tracks without permission. In a now-deleted Instagram post, the Wu-Tang Clan member specifically criticized a remix of his song “Built for This,” originally from the soundtrack of The Man With the Iron Fists, a film by RZA.

The remix in question was created by YouTuber DJ Skandalous and has amassed over 266 million views, far outpacing the original music video’s 1.5 million views. Skandalous’ version replaces Street Life’s verses, adds elements from other artists like Ice Cube’s Westside Connection, Eazy-E, and 2Pac, and uses a new beat.

Method Man did not hold back in his post, stating that he had previously asked the YouTuber to remove the remix but was ignored. He voiced concerns over creators receiving none of the financial benefits from these unofficial versions, writing: “Over 200 million views and not one penny to the creators.”

The rapper criticized the lack of respect for intellectual property rights in the music industry, pointing out that such remixes undermine the hard work and creativity involved in making the original records. “Whatever happened to IP rights?” he questioned, adding that hearing his voice over beats he would never choose, often offbeat, amounted to “hack shit” that he could not respect.

Method Man also called out several other channels known for remixing tracks without authorization, including South Central Channel, Golden Age Hip Hop, and New York’s Finest.

In closing his post, Method Man posed a question to his followers: “Am I wrong for standing up or should I just sit down and shut the f*** up?”

This isn’t the first time the rap icon has spoken out about the challenges artists face in the digital age. Earlier this year, he revealed that despite his success as both a solo artist and member of Wu-Tang Clan, he has yet to receive any income from streaming services. During an interview with UBS Head of Sports & Entertainment Wale Ogunleye, Method Man discussed his concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence in the music industry and how it could further impact artists’ intellectual property.

While he acknowledged that AI could have creative potential, he made it clear that he’s still grappling with its implications, especially for veteran artists like himself, who have seen little return from modern music platforms.

Method Man’s latest comments underscore the growing debate about artist rights in an age of streaming, AI, and remix culture.